Applied Systems TAM Backup Configuration

Applied Systems offers their customers using The Agency Manager (TAM) continuous offsite backup of an agency's server data through the Data Storage and Recovery Powered by LiveVault service. For more information about Applied Systems products and services, call Client Solutions at 800-999-5368.

Prior to configuring your TAM server backup, you must determine with Applied System's Client Solutions what data you will back up with LiveVault service. This choice will determine what you can restore and how you would recover your TAM server in the event of a disaster. Your options include:

TAM data only

If you choose this option, LiveVault service can back up and restore your TAM data.

In the event of a disaster, (i.e. damage to your office, TAM server is physically lost, or if there is a hard disk failure or corruption requiring the system drive to be rebuilt) Applied Systems’ Support Department will assist you in rebuilding your TAM server, reinstalling your computer and restoring your TAM data (which was backed up using LiveVault service).

You are responsible for reinstalling any non-Applied Systems third-party software. You must have backed up the data associated with your third-party software using another backup method in order to restore it. Performing this restore will also be your responsibility.
TAM data and non-Applied Systems third-party software and data

If you choose this option, LiveVault service can back up and restore your TAM data and your third-party software and data.

In the event of a disaster, (i.e. damage to your office, TAM server is physically lost, or if there is a hard disk failure or corruption requiring the system drive to be rebuilt) Applied Systems’ Support Department will assist you in rebuilding your TAM server, reinstalling your computer and restoring your TAM data (which was backed up using LiveVault service).

You are responsible for reinstalling and restoring any non-Applied Systems third-party software and data. You can use LiveVault service to restore the software and data that it backed up.
Entire server, including the operating system and System State/registry

This provides the most comprehensive coverage with LiveVault service. If you choose this option, then you will be able to recover your entire server by performing a LiveVault service disaster recovery.

In the event of a disaster, (i.e. damage to your office, TAM server is physically lost, or if there is a hard disk failure or corruption requiring the system drive to be rebuilt) Applied Systems’ Support Department and LiveVault service Customer Service will assist you in recovering the entire server. This process includes rebuilding the server, reinstalling the operating system (a minimal installation), then restoring all the data and the System State/registry that was backed up with LiveVault service. The restoration will include the full operating system with configuration information, your applications and their configuration information, and all your data.

If you have any questions regarding how these options relate to your selected Data Storage and Recovery plan, contact Applied Systems Client Solutions for assistance.

Use the following guidelines when configuring your Applied Systems TAM server backup using LiveVault service.

On the MyLiveVault Home page, the All Computers form lists all the computers on your company account. Click Configure Backup in the Action column for your TAM server.
Read the steps on the Configure Backup page, then click Next.
Configure the Files and Directories backup configuration for the server:
1. In the Files to Backup tab on the Computer Backup form:
  1. Specify the files you want to back up:
    - If you want to back up the entire server, select all volumes, directories, and files. This includes the operating system and program files. By default, the entire computer is selected for backup.
    - If you choose not to back up the entire computer but want to back up your non-Applied Systems third-party applications, select the following directory for backup:
      
      D:\3rdParty
    - If you only want to back up you TAM data, click Clear All.
    You can either browse and select the files from a tree view of your computer's file structure, or manually define the file selection rules.
  2. Exclude the following TAM directories (these must be excluded from both the Files and Directories backup configuration and the TAM database backup configuration):
    - D:\APPLIED\AS_TEMP\*
    - D:\APPLIED\AS_LOCK\*
    Important: These files may appear as subdirectories in the \DATA\APPLIED directory, or other TAM directory. If you are unable to locate these directories, contact Applied Systems Support Department for assistance.
  3. Specify whether you want to back up the registry/System State:
    - If you are backing up the entire server, select the Backup the Registry/System State check box.
    - Otherwise, clear the Backup the Registry/System State check box.
    Note: By default, the registry/System State is backed up as part of your Files and Directories backup configuration.
2. In the Schedule tab, create a schedule for the Files and Directories backup configuration. We generally recommend setting your schedule to continuous backup, 24x7, so your changes are always being backed up. However, you can set any schedule you desire.
  If you are not backing up any data on this backup configuration, skip this step.
3. Click Save.
4. Review the information in the Computer Backup form's Properties and Specifications columns.
5. Submit to accept the backup configuration.
Create a TAM database backup configuration:
1. On the Databases Backup form, click New.
2. On the Configure a database backup page in the Computer Backup form, do the following:
  1. Type a name for this backup configuration in the Name of database box. For example, TAMBackup.
  2. In the Files to Backup tab on the Computer Backup form, select the files/directories for TAM to back up as part of this backup configuration. You can either browse and select the files from a tree view of your computer's file structure, or manually define the file selection rules.
    
    Select the following TAM directories, including their subdirectories (these directories contain related files):
    - D:\APPLIED\APPS\* (plus subdirectories)
    - D:\APPLIED\DOC\* (plus subdirectories)
    - D:\APPLIED\TAM\* (plus subdirectories)
    - D:\APPLIED\TAM_EXE\* (plus subdirectories)
    Also select the following images folders. The folders will vary depending on your version of TAM and the imaging practices of your agency:
    For systems prior to TAM v.7.1
    - D:\APPLIED\EIM\* (plus subdirectories)
    For systems running TAM v.7.1 or greater
    - D:\APPLIED\ATTACH\* (plus subdirectories)
    - D:\APPLIED\EIM\* (plus subdirectories)
    All TAM directories are usually located in the D:\APPLIED directory. However, they may be located in the D:\ root volume.
    
    Important: Contact Applied Systems Support Department for assistance if you have any questions regarding the location of your TAM files and directories. For example, if your image files are physically located on a different server, you will need to install a different Agent software kit on that other server to back up those image files.
  3. In the Files to Backup tab, exclude the following TAM directories (these must be excluded from both the Files and Directories backup configuration and the TAM database backup configuration):
    - D:\APPLIED\AS_TEMP\*
    - D:\APPLIED\AS_LOCK\*
    Important: These files may appear as subdirectories in the \DATA\APPLIED directory, or other TAM directory. If you are unable to locate these directories, contact Applied Systems Support Department for assistance.
  4. In the Schedule tab, create a schedule for the backup configuration. We generally recommend setting your schedule to continuous backup, 24x7, so your changes are always being backed up. However, you can set any schedule you desire.
  5. Click Save.
3. Review the information in the Computer Backup form's Properties and Specifications columns.
4. Click Submit to accept the backup configuration.
5. On the Databases Backup page, the new backup configuration is listed. Click Done.
The initial synchronization of the specified files, directories and databases starts automatically according to the schedules you specified.

Related Information

Applied Systems TAM Restore
Configuring Backup
Excluding Files from Backup
Modifying a Database Backup Configuration